Mastering how to cut a cigar is just as important as knowing how to smoke one. It might sound simple enough, but to be a cut above the rest takes confidence, finesse, and plenty of practice.
Let’s grab a cigar cutter and learn how to properly cut a cigar so you can enjoy a great beginner smoke from the first draw to the last.
Do you need to cut a cigar?
Almost all premium cigars feature a cap at the head. This is a piece of tobacco leaf that stops the cigar from unraveling before smoking. You need to cut the cap before lighting up, or it will be impossible to smoke the cigar, as air will be unable to pass through. Only a small amount of the cap needs to be removed, so be careful.
Why is cutting a cigar correctly important?
A poor cut can ruin your smoke or diminish your experience. Cutting too far could lead to the wrapper unfurling entirely.
The cigar could also burn too hot and fast if cut badly, making it difficult for air to flow and your cigar constantly going out.
The speed at which cut your cigar is also important, so you get a clean burn that doesn’t fray the stick. This way, you’ll reduce the number of inevitable little flecks of wrapper that end up in your mouth.
Correctly cutting your cigar is also imperative for good cigar etiquette. A clean, smooth cut is part of the “ritual” that many cigar aficionados nurture as they enjoy their favorite smokes. Use a genuine cigar cutter to do the job properly and you will be looked at favorably by your fellow smokers.
Do I need a cigar cutter?
Even if you’re in dire straits, you shouldn’t use anything other than the surgical precision of a cigar cutter to cut your cigar. The type you choose will depend on the style of cut you’d like to make.
A cigar cutter is essentially a really sharp knife specifically designed to get the best cut on your cigar. Don’t use a blunt cigar cutter, as this could crack or tear the cap and wrapper.
Can you cut a cigar without a cutter?
Disaster looms. You’ve scanned your pockets and realized you’ve forgotten your cigar cutter. A pocket knife is the next best thing to cut a cigar, but it’s not a recommended method. Make a small cut in the center of the cap and rotate the stogie until the cut is complete. A sharp blade is essential for a clean cut.
Scissors, razor blades, and even gently biting down on the cap are other methods people use to cut their cigars, but they are fraught with risk. While these are all quick fixes for clipping your cigar without a cutter, nothing beats the precision and professionalism of a cutter. This gives you every chance to make a clean cut and avoid tearing the wrapper, which can affect the draw and flavor of your smoke.
Can you cut a cigar and smoke it later?
Only cut your cigar if you intend to start smoking it immediately. Otherwise, leave it safely stored away in your humidor. Cigars are sealed with a cap so the tobacco doesn’t dry out, and the tobacco flavors are maintained. As mentioned, it also keeps the wrapper of the cigar together.
What are the different ways to cut a cigar?
There are three commonly used methods of cutting a cigar — punch, straight cut, and v cut. Each cutter performs a specific cut.
Straight cut
The most familiar and universal cut for a cigar is made with a guillotine cutter. The cutter can have a single blade or double blades. You slot your stogie through a hole and squeeze to cut your cigar cleanly. For beginners, adding a second blade helps ensure a cleaner, more defined, straight cut and is easier to use.
Ensure the guillotine cutter you buy fits the ring gauge of the cigars you like to smoke. This relates to the width or thickness of your cigar.
Punch cut
As the name implies, a punch cutter punches a hole through the head of your cigar, leaving the rest of the cap intact. It’s an attractive-looking cut that prevents loose tobacco falling into your mouth while you puff away. They make for very easy and efficient cigar cutters as you don’t risk cutting too deep, leaving a smaller airway in the cigar to maximize the flavor.
One downside of punch cutters is they aren’t as effective with small gauge smokes, which are best for first-time smokers. They are best used on ring gauges over 40 and only work on round-capped cigars.
V-cut
A v-cutter carries many of the same benefits as a punch cutter. However, it creates a deeper, more focused incision into the cigar’s tip with a small v-shaped slice. This encourages a more concentrated, intense draw and reduces the possibility of loose filler falling into your mouth and the likelihood of removing too much of the cigar.
Thicker cigars can be difficult to wedge cut with a v-cutter. Be careful not to cut too deep — you can increase the draw too much, and your stogie will burn hotter than planned. V-cutters are designed to offer a cleaner and more straightforward experience, with the cutting action performed in one swift motion, ideally when the blade is severely sharp.
How to cut a cigar properly
- Locate the cap
This is only part of the cigar you want to cut off. It’s best to err on the side of a slightly shallower cut to avoid cutting into the wrapper and any potential unraveling.
- Moisten the cigar head
This trick can help your cut go smoothly. Gently moisten the cap in your mouth before cutting by placing it between your lips (no need to lick) — the moisture from your mouth can stop the leaf from being too dry and cracking during cutting. This helps the cap glue hold firmer and gives you a glimpse of the cigar’s taste and awakens your senses for what’s to come.
- Make a quick cut
Finally, it’s time to “rip off the band aid” and make the cut. Take your time lining up the cutter, then cut the cigar firmly and quickly. If you’re too tentative, you can end up with flayed cuts. Depending on the type of cigar cutter you use, you could be just one squeeze or one small punch hole away from a perfectly cut cigar.
Top tips to ensure the best cigar cut
- Keep your cutters sharp, otherwise they won’t work correctly.
- Don’t pause while cutting, as it makes for a rough, jagged cut.
- Beginners should always give their cigar a shallow cut, at least to start. If the draw is tight, you still have room to cut more off if needed.
- Practice with different types of leaves and varying cigar shapes and sizes. You’ll quickly gauge how to get the best cigar cut for your favorite smokes.
- After cutting the cap, draw a little bit of air through it prior to lighting. This is known as the cold or pre-light draw, and will inform you whether or not the draw is on point.
Once you’ve got your cigar cutting technique down to a tee, you can then think about lighting it up and enjoying all your cigar’s different flavors and subtleties.